I'm looking for alternative to Adobe Acrobat and other Adobe software to read and annotate journal articles (which usually come in .pdf format).

Adobe is very expensive and my university does not offer it to students.

I've come across Foxit Reader. Has anyone any experience of this? Or can anyone suggest any possible alternatives?

Any suggestions welcome.

I'm now officially enrolled as a part-time PhD student at Southampton.

So I'm going to cheat and ask 2 questions:

1. Any advice for us newbies?
2. What software would you recommend for us to use?

Any clues appreciated.:-)

Some of us somewhat younger than 95 (but more than 40 and upwards) who are about to start a PhD. I've heard of several people who have:-)

Hi Scalja02

I'm in the same boat. I've just submitted my MSc dissertation and will start a part-time, distance learning PhD with the same supervisor at a different university at the end of September. While I'm starting to wonder what I'm taking on, I'm also excited as it'll be a new stage in my life. While you still have to show that you can reach the academic standards, self-funded students are welcome.

Wonder if it's worth starting a network for those of us in similar positions?

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions. I'll follow them up. I worked out that my MSc dissertation is about the equivalent of a chapter in a PhD thesis..... scary!

I'll be submitting my MSc dissertation in June and starting PhD in late September (part-time). While I'll be taking a break in over the summer including a long holiday, any suggestions on what if anything I could usefully do to prepare for starting the PhD, to bridge the gap? Any tips or advice appreciated.

Hi Snowdropbooks
You're certainly not alone as an older student. I'm working full time, finishing a part-time MSc and starting a part-time PhD in September.

I voted 'other' on your poll as you should decide what you want to wear when cycling, and you may want to wear different things......

Happy to compare notes offline.

Ishi

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm currently finishing my MSc dissertation and I've been accepted to do a part-time self funded PhD with the same supervisor (who's moved to a new university), starting in September. I had to apply via the formal route to my supervisor's new institution and then do a summary on the lines that you have to. I found myself giving an overview of and background of the main area that I want to explore, a short rationale for it and suggestions for possible directions/issues/themes to pursue. I've not been asked to submit a detailed proposal as I find that I'm getting additional ideas /possibilities as I progress my dissertation research and I realise that I won't firm it up until after I start (and I understand that your ideas can change as you get stuck into the PhD).

I'd be happy to compare notes off line if you PM me.

If you have the time, wait until you all or at least 4 of the sets of comments. Then you can review them together, see if there are patterns in them, see if any of them contradict each other (as 5 people will have different views), and most importantly, which ones you agree with, and if there are any that you don't.

Olivia's right - it's good to find some alone time to have time to gather your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for the book recommendations - just what I need.

Hi Just seen this thread after I've worked out that I'm a pragmatist. I've seen some mentions of Cresswell. Can anyone suggest anyone /books to read on pragmatism / mixed methods? (I'm a newbie PhD starting in September).

I'm starting a part-time PhD in the autumn and I'll be self-funding. A university won't take anyone even if you can pay for yourself and your proposal and abilities have to be assessed before they'll accept you. I also had to provide references.

You can copy pdf files to the Kindle via the USB cable. Or to get larger print, convert them to kindle format.

Assume your kindle email address is [email protected].
Send your pdf file as an attachment to [email protected] with 'convert' in the subject line.

Amazon send you an email when the document is ready (very quick) and you can either save them to your kindle via the USB drive or download by wifi.

It's brilliant.

Excellent thread.

I'm starting a PhD in September. I'm doing it for me and because I've found some areas and issues that I want to explore and write about in depth, and the PhD provides an structure and framework in which to do this.

I'm a mature student (and I won't say how mature!), currently writing my Masters dissertation on part-time basis alongside my day job. I'll also be doing my PhD part-time and will be self-funded. So it will take me at least 6 years and my research relates to and is based on real contemporary experience in my professional networks and also links to my personal academic interests.

:-)